Total of 1 296 new operating licences still available to metered-taxi operators

04 May 2023

JOINT STATEMENT BY THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN AND THE WESTERN CAPE MOBILITY DEPARTMENT AND PUBLIC 

The Western Cape Mobility Department and the City of Cape Town want to inform metered-taxi operators that there are still 1 296 new metered-taxi operating licences available to the industry. Operators are urged to make use of the opportunity to submit their applications for new operating licences to the Western Cape Provincial Regulatory Entity. 

The two-year moratorium on new applications for metered-taxi operating licences was lifted in February 2023 and is being executed in two phases. The first phase allowed the holders of some 711 lapsed metered-taxi operating licences to apply for the renewal of the said lapsed operating licences by 28 February 2023. The second phase commenced on 1 March 2023 to allow new entrants to the metered-taxi industry to apply for an additional 2 643 new metered-taxi operating licences.

• Only 76 applications were received during the first phase, and a further two operators requested an extension of the period to lodge applications. The balance of the 711 lapsed licences have been carried over to the second phase.
• To date, the Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE) has received 1 974 applications for new metered-taxi operating licences via the various application platforms – be it by hand, email, online, or fax. A total of 112 applications have been granted by the PRE, and the bulk of the pending applications will be processed within the next few weeks.
  

Given the above numbers, the City and the PRE can confirm that there are still 1 296 new metered-taxi operating licences available.

'This is a great opportunity for new entrants to the metred-taxi industry to apply for an operating licence. The National Land Transport Act requires all public transport service providers to be in possession of a valid operating licence to transport commuters. Those who operate without a valid operating licence stand the risk of being fined, or having their vehicles impounded. We often receive complaints from operators who claim they are being targeted, and that we fine them unfairly, or impound their vehicles for no reason. Some even urge their customers to lodge complaints on their behalf. Given that there are still nearly 1 300 operating licences available, there is no excuse to operate illegally. I urge operators to please submit their applications to the PRE as soon as possible,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Ricardo Mackenzie said: 'I am pleased that we have been able to work together to ensure that public transport is effectively regulated, while enabling businesses in the sector. Any operator transporting commuters must be licensed and comply with all licence conditions to ensure that passengers can get to work and school safely. The Mobility Department and PRE have done an outstanding job – using innovation and technology – to improve our systems and processes. I encourage operators to reach out to them for assistance.'

The City of Cape Town imposed a moratorium on new metered-taxi operating licences in February 2021. During the following two years, the City, as the planning authority, assessed the demand for metered-taxi services within the metro; established the number of existing operating licences; rationalised existing services; and reviewed changes to legislation and policy related to metered-taxi services. These processes were concluded by December 2022, and in February 2023 the City notified the PRE of its intention to lift the moratorium.

The announcement was well received by the metered-taxi industry.

Another important outcome of this process is that the PRE standardised the metered-taxi authorities to allow the holders of the licence to provide any type of metered-taxi service – be it from a rank, a commercial base, or e-hailing platform – within the boundaries of the City of Cape Town.

Important information:

• Operators who are uncertain of the status of their operating licences may contact Ms. Lizette Wilmot at Lizette.wilmot@westerncape.gov.za  on phone 021 483 0241; or contact Ms. Shantel Radien at Shantel.radien@westerncape.gov.za on 021 483 0214. Operational hours for inquiries are 07:00 to 16:30 on weekdays
• Operators are no longer required to apply for a letter of provisional support from the City of Cape Town prior to lodging their applications, in other words an application is made directly to the PRE

• Applications can be submitted via email to Colette Kuyler at Colette.kuyler@westerncape.gov.za; or Joan Abrahams at Joan.abrahams@westerncape.gov.za; or Lizette Wilmot at Lizette.wilmot@westerncape.gov.za
• Applications can also be submitted via the online portal on https://smex-ctp.trendmicro.com:443/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2flive.online.ptrswesterncape.org%2f%23%2fsign%2dup&umid=6f48b916-861a-4299-a203-d7c8d8ffcc87&auth=d7b41fc51a08f160efc1f7ac67a68326ce192e15-773af0ea50d8cbc56a1bbb4c025fde76720e19f6
• Alternatively, applications can be handed in at the Vangate Shared Service Centre, at the corner of Bosduif and Volstruis Streets in Bridgetown, Athlone
• Applicants must please note that cash payments are no longer accepted for application fees
• The base address – this is the address where the operator is operating from, must be within the City's metropolitan boundaries
• Those operating from a residential base can only apply for one metered-taxi operating licence
• Those operating from a commercial base can apply for a maximum of five metered-taxi operating licences
• Those operating from an informal residential dwelling or backyard, need a letter from the sub-council or the local ward councillor confirming the informal residential address
• Foreign nationals must be in possession of a residency and work permit that is valid for at least 18 months from the date of application for the new operating licences
  
   
  
  The PRE is responsible for receiving operating licence applications and the issuing of public transport operating licences, and will be guiding the above processes in terms of the required documentation. An application will only be considered complete, when all of the required supporting documentation has been submitted with the application.
  
   
  
   
  
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office